3-017-025 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Ocean Yacht Match from Gravesend to Harwich on Saturday, June 4: the Volante winning the Cutters' Prize, 1864. The Volante, a cutter of 60 tons belonging to H. C. Maudslay, wins '...the great event of the yachting season. The first prize, for schooners and yawls, was £80; and the second, for cutters, £50. No less than twenty-seven yachts entered to compete in this race - thirteen cutters, eleven schooners, and three yawls...The weather was fine and pleasant; but, except when near Southend, and for a very short time, there was never sufficient wind to develop the best sailing qualities of the competitors...The racing was very close indeed between the Volante and the Glance...the Glance, which had quite recovered her slight stoppage, came pressing up, throwing the spray from her fine bows, and closing fast with the Volante...At the Swin Middle the Volante increased her lead...Our Artist has sketched the Volante just entering Harwich Harbour'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.